Chapter: Chapter 40The song above is 'The Song of the Caged Bird' by Lindsey Stirling, an amazing violinist. Later in the chapter, when Ariella plays her violin, I imagine her song to be similar to the one above :)4312 words8Flames dance between us, glowing orange and golden. Their light is reflected in his onyx irises, illuminating them with amber and scarlet sparks. With a gaze like a cunning predator, he watches me watching him. Aware. Alert. Direct and unrelenting.An icy fist squeezes my chest, making it hard to breathe under his unwavering attention. I blink, and when I meet his gaze once again, his eyes are shifting from navy blue to the signature azure hue I love so much. One side of his beautiful mouth tilts up in a small smile, and my heart jolts after perhaps stuttering to a stop only a moment before.What have I just seen?It doesn't matter. Nothing matters now that he is here. Now that my mate has come to be with me.My legs act before I even command them to move, eating up the distance a
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 39"And this is my doll, I named her Sandy because her hair is yellow like sand. She looks so pretty in this pink dress, don't you think?"Emerald picked up the doll from its place amongst other stuffed animals, and smoothed out the dress that was covered in flowers, ribbons, and buttons. Her side of the room that she shared with her sister was all soft and girly with pretty pink things everywhere, while Savannah's side was decorated with unusual things like smooth rocks from the creek, slingshots made from sticks, and curious leaves dried between books.The two Alpha daughters were opposite in many ways, but so alike in their love for their family and friends."It's gorgeous," Ariella agreed, patting the doll and looking about the room. When Ariella and her mom came to visit for the day, both girls instantly pulled her upstairs to excitedly show her their latest gifts and toys. Now while Emerald was proudly pointing out her neatly arranged collection, Savannah sat in the window seat fli
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 38"He really hasn't changed at all.""Who?""Caleb. Who else would I be talking about!" Lexi placed the stack of plates in a cupboard then wiped the sink dry, and turned a raised eyebrow to her Alpha."Oh, right. What about him?" Chesca asked while hanging up the dish towel. The kitchen was now tidy and clean from the dinner preparations thanks to Lexi's help, but she knew by breakfast the next morning, it would once again be it's usual mess."I saw him chatting to Miranda the other day, down by the lake. You know the spot by the pines? Private. Romantic. He was standing so close to her like he always used to. Leaning, if you know what I mean."Chesca groaned and poured the freshly boiled kettle of water into her teapot. Soon the scent of black tea with rose buds permeated the air, and Chesca felt herself instantly unwinding with just the anticipation of a good cup of tea. This time of night, when her pups were in bed, was a part of the day she looked forward to. Because though she love
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 37"You're leaving?"Malachi is shocked, more so than I expected. He stands up abruptly, nearly pulling away the sheets that he had unconsciously scrunched between his fingers, and looks at me with wide eyes. I see a swirl of storms in his blue eyes, more shadow than light in the dim morning dawn that surrounds us, and I might not be imagining the hurt that creeps in the edges and wrinkles his forehead.It nearly makes me change my mind."You're going home...to ForgedHearts pack?" he questions, like he needs to clarify where I call home. Maybe my choice of wards was poor, but this hasn't felt like home, not ever, even in the small moments I'm enveloped in Malachi's embrace. For a flicker in time, being with him feels right, but everything else around us is so wrong."Just for a few days."He visibly relaxes, his shoulders slumping forward and his clenched jaw loosening while he sits on the edge of the bed. I scoot back and pull my knees to my chest."It's almost the new moon, and I want
Last Updated: 2023-01-13
Chapter: Chapter 36I grip the doorpost and feel his words smack into me like a tidal wave of relief. "Who?"Malachi huffs and runs a hand through his hair, an action I've come to know means he's frustrated and agitated, tired of not being in control of the situation."It's complicated. Hamilton and I aren't even sure yet, but we're close. We can feel it.""Then tell me who you're suspect of? Who do you think could have murdered your warriors so disgustingly?"His eyes snap to mine, the blue a riot of crashing waves. "That's the point. It's a terrible accusation to make, so we're not calling it yet. We have to go over the facts again, see if there's anything we missed."He looks tired, and troubled with the fact that he still hasn't yet found the person causing such crimes in his pack. As Alpha, he wants to protect everyone, I know."So do you think you can solve it? You'll be able to stop them before anyone else gets hurt, right?" I'd nearly forgotten about the threat to our lives, so caught up have I b
Last Updated: 2023-01-13
Chapter: Chapter 35The air is heavy with my dread, making it almost too thick to breathe. Especially with my mate's hand squeezing my shoulder, his thumb pressing in under my collarbone. Although it doesn't hurt, I understand his meaning clearly."I asked, where have you been?" Malachi growls at me again when I take too long to answer. "And who were you with? I can smell his scent all over you."An extra wave of fear engulfs me as I look into Malachi's dark eyes, dotted with dancing red embers. I know the type of risk a jealous mate poses to another male, especially if it's a jealous Alpha mate. Their strength can be magnificent when fueled by fiery possession.I try and tell him he has nothing to worry about though. "It—it was just a boy—""Don't lie to me!" Malachi leans into my face and snarls, making me flinch. Squeezing my eyes shut, an involuntary whimper escapes my throat.Suddenly Malachi steps back from me, leaving a rush of cold air between us.When I open my eyes, his gaze is to the floor, a
Last Updated: 2023-01-13
Chapter: EPILOGUEAlisha's POV "Are you going to get up" I poked Lucien's arm hard with my fingernail, yeah I know it hurts but it works so well."Ouch, I'm going to have scars on my arms from you doing that. " He complains with a whine, pulling the blanket up to his shoulder. " I wasn't planning on getting up , it's Sunday and we can sleep in. Go back to sleep""I'm not tired anymore and since I'm up you have to be too. " I attempt to pull the blanket covering his arm back down , it wasn't going to move with his tight grip on it no matter how I tugged on it."Stop that" he growled out at me in a playful tone"What if I don't" I shot right back at him , tugging even harder on the blanket now. "Last warning" was his replyThis was going to be fun and I knew it, there was no way I was going to let it go now. Using two hands now I threw all my weight behind it and pulled hard. He let go of the blanket at that moment and I flew off the bed onto the floor. I landed on the thick rug next to it with the bla
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 66Alisha's POV The heat between our bodies was intense, nothing I have ever felt before in my life had even came close. It felt as if my clothes would melt off. Hot damn this man can kiss and when his tongue slipped into my mouth it was all over. I was ready and willing to go for it right here in his office. I don't give two shits about any rules anymore and the only thing I was interested in was finishing what we started last night. There was no stopping us now.I was so unaware of my actions I didn't even realize we had moved until we were on the couch that was tucked in the corner of his office. My body and his moved on autopilot now, eager to explore each other and fulfill this burning need deep inside. I was on fire and he was the only thing that could put it out.His body was pressed down on mine as we let our passion free. Hands roaming greedily over each other , touching and exploring intimate places. Moans echoed in my ears as the excitement built. I didn't think about what I
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 65Alisha's POV Mom wasted no time dragging my ass down the hall, pulling on my wrist like a child in deep trouble. I guess that isn't too far from the truth right now. Except I'm an adult now and have been living on my own since I was eighteen. I didn't want to be treated like this.I dug my heels in and stopped dead in my tracks. One hand holding on tightly to the towel wrapped around my body as I tugged hard to free my trapped one. "Mom stop, quit pulling on me like this. I can keep up with you just fine. " This wasn't effective as she paid no attention to what I was saying and kept tugging on me hard. "I'm not a small child and don't want to be treated like one""Let's go" her voice was firm and I knew she was still pissed off about everything. Her fingers dug in even harder as she attempted to get me moving again. "Act like a child and get treated like a child"How was I acting like a child, because the way I see it my actions were pure adult until she blasted into the situation.
Last Updated: 2023-01-26
Chapter: Chapter 64Alisha's POV His eyes were fixed on mine, watching me with the intensity of a predator . The normal naturally dark brown eyes were darker now and the whites were barely visible. The emotions he felt at this moment were raw and open , he wanted me and he wanted me really bad. That seemed to trigger a response from deep down inside of me, a need that I have never felt so strongly filled my mind. I wanted him too. Any thoughts of rules were driven from my mind at that moment. Fuck the rules I wanted my mate and my primal instincts weren't going to be denied. This was more than just lust, it went way deeper than that.Moving slowly towards the large hot tub of water I began to peel off my shirt, dropping it at my feet carelessly as I stepped forward. My eyes never leaving him, my desire for him leading my actions as I had his total focus. He knew I wanted him just as badly as he wanted me. Stepping out of my shorts , kicking my feet free they were quickly left on the floor the same as
Last Updated: 2023-01-23
Chapter: Chapter 63Alisha's POV Lucien insisted that I shift back into my wolf form before his guards arrived, it went without saying that he didn't want them to see my naked body. Usually something like that would set me off, I don't like anyone trying to dictate what I should and shouldn't do. But this time I didn't argue with him, he had just killed four male rogues to keep me safe. He was ruthless in his attack and I just stood there watching as he tore them apart with ease. I was so impressed he could ask me anything right now and I'd do it without arguing. It didn't even bother me he killed four men, of course they were in wolf form and didn't look like men. Maybe if they had been in human form it would have bothered me , but right now I didn't give two shits about them. They wanted me dead and now they are. Reluctantly I pulled out of Lucien's embrace and shifted back into my wolf form. He stood naked in front of me without a hint of modesty. Nudity wasn't an issue with these people that was
Last Updated: 2023-01-23
Chapter: Chapter 62Lucien's POV Alisha followed behind me as I led the way outside, neither of us speaking but true to her promise she stayed within the required distance but no closer. Once we got to the changing rooms she moved quickly to enter inside , once we were in wolf form the chance to speak was gone. I couldn't let that happen, there was so much between us that needed to be said and ignoring it was just going to damage any progress."Alisha, could you wait a minute please." She stopped dead in her tracks at my words, I could see her back stiffen. "Could you please face me, I have something to say. " that was a rule after all.She hesitated at first but did as I asked, her eyes focused on my face and for a moment I was lost in those eyes. Those emerald green eyes seemed to peer into my soul , making me forget what I was going to say. I began stepping closer to her automatically , not even aware I was doing so until she put her arm up to stop my forward movement. "What did you need Lucien"
Last Updated: 2023-01-23